AUSTIN (Talk1370.com) -- Travis County property owners will face a significant property tax increase next year after commissioners approved a 9.12% hike to raise money for flood recovery and critical infrastructure repairs.
The move, which didn't require voter approval, will add an average of $200 to homeowners' bills and bring in an estimated $42.2 million.
Much of the money is needed to replenish the county’s emergency reserves, which were drained by July’s deadly floods. County budget director Travis Gatlin said more than $20 million has already been used for disaster response, including cleanup and road and bridge repairs.
Commissioners say the tax increase also addresses a long-standing need for infrastructure improvements. They plan to use the funds for long-stalled projects like flood control on Onion Creek and repairs to nearly 100 miles of dangerous roads and low-water crossings.
"The only reason we haven’t fixed it is because we didn’t have the money,” said Commissioner Margaret Gómez, referring to Onion Creek's history of flooding. "I believe this $42 million will finally help resolve that issue once and for all, so people can rest easy that they won’t be flooded in the middle of the night.”